Shane Long's 14th international goal handed the Republic of Ireland a priceless 1-0 win over world champions Germany and blew the race for Euro 2016 qualification wide open.
– Twitter: FIFA suspends Blatter and Platini
The Southampton striker came off the bench to thump a 70th-minute thunderbolt past the helpless Manuel Neuer to hand the Republic their biggest competitive victory since they defeated Holland in a World Cup play-off in 2001.
Ireland's success, coupled with Poland's 2-2 draw with Scotland, means that Martin O'Neill's men are guaranteed a top-three finish and a play-off place at worst, but they will head for Warsaw on Sunday knowing they could still top Group D.
Karim Benzema struck twice late on as hosts France continued their preparations for Euro 2016 with a comfortable 4-0 friendly win over Armenia in Nice.
Real Madrid forward Benzema wrapped up the game after earlier goals from Antoine Griezmann and Yohan Cabaye at the Allianz Riviera.
Armenia, who have failed to qualify for next summer's tournament, had some bright moments as they resisted the French for 35 minutes, but the hosts took firm control after Griezmann's powerful effort.
Ovidiu Hoban's injury-time goal ensured Romania's hopes of qualifying for Euro 2016 remained in their own hands after a 1-1 draw against Finland in Bucharest.
The 32-year-old poked home the rebound in the first minute of added-on time to cancel out Joel Pohjanpalo's goal midway through the second half, which had looked set to give the visitors the spoils.
With Hungary beating the Faroe Islands, Anghel Iordanescu's men are just a point ahead of their Group F rivals and need to beat the Faroes in their final fixture to make sure of sealing a qualification spot, with Northern Ireland booking their place in France on Thursday night.
Two late goals earned Serbia a 2-0 victory in Elbesan to dent the European Championship qualifying hopes of Group I rivals Albania.
The reverse fixture between the two nations was abandoned last year following a brawl between the players, but there was no repeat as Aleksandar Kolarov and Adem Ljajic scored in the closing stages.
Victory would have sent Albania to France next summer, but now they need to beat Armenia to pip Denmark to second spot.
Northern Ireland are heading to their first ever European Championship after two goals from captain Steven Davis and one from Josh Magennis helped secure an unforgettable 3-1 victory over Greece.
The nation has not been seen a major tournament since the 1986 World Cup but that will all change in France next summer.
Gibraltar slipped to their ninth successive defeat in Euro 2016 qualifying Group D, and conceded their 50th goal in the process, as Georgia eased to a 4-0 victory in Tblisi.
